Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Estimation of the prevalence of idiopathic epilepsy and structural epilepsy in a general population of 900 dogs undergoing MRI for epileptic seizures.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary record
- Year:
- 2020
- Authors:
- Hall, Rachel et al.
- Affiliation:
- Royal Veterinary College · United Kingdom
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at 900 dogs that were having MRI scans because they were having seizures to find out how common two types of epilepsy are: idiopathic epilepsy (where the cause is unknown) and structural epilepsy (where there is a physical problem in the brain). The researchers found that about 45% of the dogs had identifiable problems in their brains causing the seizures, while the remaining 55% had idiopathic epilepsy. Younger dogs, especially those between six months and six years, were more likely to have idiopathic epilepsy, and certain breeds were more likely to have specific brain issues. This research is significant because it gives a clearer picture of what might be causing seizures in dogs. Overall, the study helps veterinarians understand the reasons behind epilepsy in dogs better.
Abstract
Due to variation in study designs the prevalence of idiopathic epilepsy (IE) and structural epilepsy (SE) in dogs is largely unknown. The objective was to provide estimates of the prevalence of IE and SE in a large population of dogs undergoing MRI for epileptic seizures. A retrospective study on 900 dogs undergoing MRI for seizures was performed. MRI scans, summary clinical history and neurological examination from the VetCT database were reviewed and a diagnosis assigned by board-certified radiologists. Structural lesions were identified as a cause of seizures in 45.1 per cent (n=406) of cases. No structural lesions were identified in 54.9 per cent (n=494) of cases with presumed IE diagnosed in 53.8 per cent (n=484) of dogs. Dogs between six months and six years were more often associated with IE (P<0.001), small breeds were overrepresented with suspected inflammatory brain disease (P=0.001) and large entire dogs more often diagnosed with extra-axial neoplasms (P=0.001). Over 31.0 per cent of dogs with suspected IE were six years or older. This study is the largest of its kind in dogs and provides accurate estimates of underlying causes of epilepsy. MRI findings should be considered in the context of a detailed clinical history and neurological examination.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32303666/